After starting the new RaboDirect PRO12 campaign with trips to Treviso and Leinster, Steve Tandy’s side return to the Liberty Stadium this weekend for a meeting with Edinburgh.
It’s been a solid start to the season for the Ospreys with a win in Italy followed by a more than credible draw away to last season’s champions Leinster. Tries from Joe Bearman and Ashley Beck got the Ospreys back into it in Ireland before the boot of Wales fly half Dan Biggar secured a share of the spoils.
Jones missed the game at the RDS with a shoulder knock suffered against Treviso though he is hoping to be back fit for this weekend.
“I was disappointed not to be involved at the weekend” said Jones, who has captained Wales a record 32 times.
“The RDS is a fantastic place to play and we’ve enjoyed a good record there in recent seasons. We’re all looking forward to being back at home this weekend. It’s week three and it’s our first game at home. There’s a huge appetite for it and the players are looking forward to getting some game time at the Liberty.
“Fingers crossed I’ll get the nod from the medical team and, if selected, it’ll be great to get back out there in front of our home crowd. It’s a fantastic venue and our supporters have shown they can create a wonderful atmosphere. We need to use that to our advantage.”
A win and a draw from their first two games sees the Ospreys in fourth place, a vastly improved start compared to last season. Twelve months ago, three consecutive defeats saw Tandy’s side begin with a whimper, a start which hindered their play-off chances.
Jones added: “We were bitterly disappointed with the way we started last year.
“Losing the first three games put pressure on us later in the year and in the end, we were chasing results to try and make up for that.
“We’ve had a far better start this year and hopefully it will stand us in good stead for the weeks and months ahead. We’ve seen a few boys coming back in from injury, we’ve been bolstered by new faces coming in and we’re in a good place at the moment.”
Jones led the Ospreys from lock against Treviso but says he will play anywhere to represent the region.
“We’ve got huge strength in depth in the back five and it’s an achievement just to get a game for the Ospreys,” he said.
“It’s been great to have Tom Smith back after a year out with injury. He’s been like a new signing and we’ve got youngsters like James King and Sam Lewis who’ve been nothing short of exceptional.
“It’s incredibly satisfying as someone who has been here a long time and cares passionately about this region to see players like that coming through.
“We’ve also got some pretty good players who’ve enjoyed a summer in Australia and have come back in good spirits.
“It means there’s real competition for places and that can only drive us forward and help us get better individually and as a team in the coming weeks.”
